Marking and numbering means for strip material



March 4, 1958 a. s. GOTTSCHO ,8

MARKING AND NUMBERINGME'ANS FOR STRIP MATERlAL Filed Aug. 19, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. M $.60rrscao g IITOAIVEK l. s. GOTTSCHO 2,825,279

March 4, 1958 MARKING AND NUMBERING MEANS FOR STRIP MATERIAL s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug ..o WWW/ 0" m 6% n March 4, 1958 l. s. GOTTSCHO 2,825,279

MARKING AND NUMBERING MEANS FOR STRIP MATERIAL Filed Aug. 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent MARKING AND NUMBERING W-ANS FGR STRIP MATERIAL Ira S. Gottscho, Milburn, N. J., assignor to .adeiph Gottscho, Inc., Hiliside, N. 3., a corporation of New York Application August 19, W54, Serial No. 451,0il5

7 Ciaiins. (rill. leiid) the longitudinal dimensions of the removed lengths can' be determined only by applying a known measure or ruler to the material, and this procedure is time consuming and inaccurate in cases where the removed piece of sheet material has a length many times that of the largest ruler which can be readily manipulated, for example, a yardstick.

In accordance with the present invention, it is proposed to avoid the above difficulties by providing a marking apparatus capable of applying a sequence of numerals, for example, 1 to 99, inclusive, to the sheet material at conveniently spaced apart locations along the latter to provide a convenient means for measuring the lengths of pieces drawn from the roll of sheet material as well as an always available indication of the length of material remaining on the roll. The numerals may be spaced to indicate any unit of measurement designated thereby, such as inches, feet, yards, etc., as desired. For example, a roll may contain 100 feet of the sheet material with the successive numerals applied to the material having one foot spacing therebetween and arranged so that numeral 1 is at the inner end of the roll. With such an arrangement, it is apparent that a piece of sheet material may be drawn from the roll and cut at the numeral 90 which thereby indicates that the removed piece is 10 feet in length and that a total of 10 feet have been removed, leaving 90 feet of material on the roll. If it is then desired to cut a 3 foot length from the roll, it is only necessary to out along the numeral 87 which again provides an immediate inventory of the material remaining on the roll. Accordingly, a sequence of numerals applied to sheet material in the above fashion clearly assists in measuring the lengths of material removed from the roll and, at the same time, provides a permanent inventory of the material remaining on the roll.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide marking apparatus for conveniently applying a sequence of numerals of the above described character to a strip or web of sheet material fed past the marking apparatus.

Heretofore, apparatus has been provided to apply successive markings, such as, trade marks or brandnames, grade indications and the like, to co ntinuous web or sheet material as such material is fed past the marking apparatus, for example, as in United States Letters Patent No. 2,641,999, issued June 16, 1953 to John K. Jack- 8011,

ice

It is a further object of the invention to provide apparatus for applying repeated markings, such as, trademarks or brandnames, grade indications and the like, along the length of a Web or strip of sheet material, and for simultaneously applying a sequence of numerals between the successive markings to facilitate the measurement of lengths of sheet material cut from the strip or web as well as providing a continuous inventory of the length of sheet material remaining, particularly when the sheet material is stored in a roll.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide marking apparatus which includes a rotatable marking Wheel having circumferentially spaced peripheral portions on which suitable marking dies can be supported to apply repeated markings to a strip or web of sheet material fed past the rotated marking wheel, consecutive numbering units mounted on the marking wheel between the spaced peripheral portions of the latter for applying a sequence of numerals to the web or strip of sheet material between the repeated markings applied to the latter, and means for automatically indexing the numbering units as the marking wheel is rotated so that the numerals applied to the sheet material will be in the desired sequence or order.

While the consecutive numbering units are indexed in order to apply the entire sequence of numerals to the strip or web of sheet material when no imperfections exist in the latter, the discovery of defects in the sheet materail during the marking thereof requires the removal of the defective portions and the resetting of the numbering units back to their original positions so that, at the resumption of marking of the web or strip, the numbering units will apply the initial numerals of the sequence.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide apparatus of the described character embodying mechanism for simultaneously resetting or returning all of the numbering units to their original conditions, such mechanism preferably being operated from a position which is remote from the marking wheel.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the described character wherein the same inking mechanism is employed for supplying ink to the dies applying the repeated markings and to the numeral applying dies of the consecutive numbering units.

In accordance with the invention, the above, and other objects, features and advantages thereof appearing in the following detailed description, are achieved by providing a marking apparatus which comprises a rotatable marking wheel having circumferentially spaced peripheral portions on which suitable dies are supported to ap ply repeated markings, such as, trademarks, brand names, grade indications and the like, along a web or strip of sheet material fed past the marking wheel at the speed of the periphery of the wheel. A numbering unit is mounted on the marking Wheel in each space between the successive peripheral portions of the wheel, and each numbering unit, as is usual, includes two or more numbering wheels having numeral applying dies on the periphery thereof, the positions of said numbering wheels determining which of the numeral applying dies thereon face radially outward relative to the center of the mark ing wheel to apply the related numerals to the strip or Web between the successive or repeated markings applied by the dies on the peripheral portions of the marking wheel. The numbering wheels of the several numbering units are indexed during rotation of the marking wheel by a fixed cam member engageable by a ratchet assembly of each numbering unit as the latter moves past the cam member so that the numerals applied to the strip or web will be in numerical sequence. Further, in accordance with the invention, a resetting cam member is mounted on the axis of rotation of the marking wheel and em s rotates with the latter during marking of a web or strip of sheet material, but when it is desired to return the various numbering units to their original positions for applying the initial numbers of the numerical. sequence, the resetting cam member is rotated relative to the marking wheel from a location which isremote withrespect to the marking wheel and actuates resetting mechanism embodied in the several numbering units.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, an illustrative embodiment thereof is hereinafter described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a verticalsectional view of a marking apparatus embodying. the present invention and taken along the line 1.-1 of Fig. 3, with, portions of the structure being further broken away to better illustrate the structure in back thereof;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, transverse sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 3 is a vertical sectional view in a transverse .plane and taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 4 is a top plan view of a numbering unit included in the apparatus of Fig.1, but shown on an enlarged scale and with portions of the unit being broken away and shown in section to better illustrate the structure thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of die strips applied to the numbering. wheels of the numbering unit shown in Fig. 4, with such. die strips being illustrated in a flattened out form;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of one of the numbering wheels included in the numbering unit of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 8, but with the die strip removed from the body of the numbering wheel.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 and 3 thereof, a marking apparatus embodying the present invention is there illustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10. Marking apparatus 10 is of the kind employed for applying repeated inked impressions or markings to a strip or web of sheet material fed past the marking apparatus, for example, as shown -in United States Letters Patent No. 2,641,999, issued June 16, 1953 to John K. Jackson. Such marking apparatus includes a frame made up of side members 12 and 14 which are held in parallel, spaced apart relationship by a suitably arranged series of cross-bolts 16. A horizontally extending, transverse shaft 18 is rotatably journalled in suitable anti-friction bearings 20 and 22 which are respectively carried by the side frame members 12 and 14.

A marking wheel, generally identified by the reference numeral 24 is mounted on shaft 18 between the side frame members and includes a hollow hub 26 having the shaft 18 extending axially therethrough and secured to the shaft, as by a key 28. Wheel 24 further includes a circular web 39 extending from hub 26 in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of shaft 18 and having an axially directed, annular flange. 32 extending from the periphery of Web 30 toward one side of the latter. As seen in the drawings, flange 32 is formed with a plurality of circum-- ferentially spaced apart cutouts 34 opening at the free edge of the flange, three of such cutouts being provided in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, and the cutouts 34 define open spaces between the equally spaced apart remaining portions 36 of flange 32.

lt is intended that a suitable marking die will be supported. upon the outer surface of each of the portions 36 of the marking wheel, such dies successively receiving ink from an inlotransfer roller 38 (Fig. 1), as the marking wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow A, and then successively applying spaced apart inked impressions along the upper surface of a web or strip S of sheet material which is fed, in the direction of the arrow B, between the marking wheel and a backup roll it). i As seen in Fig. 3, shaft 18 preferably has a spur gear 42 secured thereto at the outside of the frame side member 14, gear 42 being suitably driven so that the peripheral speed of the marking wheel will be exactly the same as the linear speed of the strip or web S thereby to avoid any blurring of the inked impressions.

While there is no disclosure in the present description or the accompanying drawings of specific mechanisms for driving the marking wheel 24, for supplying ink to the ink transfer roll 38 or for supporting the apparatus frame, it is to be understood that any suitable mechanisms may be employed for these purposes, for example, as shown in the above identified United States Letters Patent.

In accordance with the present invention, numbering units, generally identified by the reference numerals 44a, 44b and 44c, are supported for rotation with the marking Wheel 24 and extend through the cutouts 34 between the spaced apart peripheral portion 36of the wheel. Each of the numbering units includes a U-shaped frame 46 which, at its base, is secured to a flattened peripheral portion 48 of a body 50 secured to shaft 18 adjacent hub 26 of the marking wheel so that body 50 and the marking wheel rotate together with the shaft 18. While the body 50 and marking wheel 24 are illustrated as separate members secured to shaft 18 for simultaneous rotation, it is to be understood that the body 50 may be formed as an integral portion of the marking wheel.

The numbering units 44a, 44b and 440 are all structurally identical and, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, each of r the numbering units includes a rotatable numberingwheel for each of the digits of the highest number of the sequence to be applied to the web or strip S. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment of the inventiomwherein the numerical sequence 1 to 99 is to be applied to the web or strip, two numbering wheels are provided in each of the numbering units and are generally identified by the reference numerals 52a and 52!). As seen in Fig. 8, each of thenumbering wheels includes a generally circular body 54 having a die strip 56 secured to the periphery thereof in a manner hereinafter described in detail. The body 54 is formed with a central opening 58 receiving a shaft60 which is rotatably mounted, at its opposite ends, in the spaced apart sides of the frame 46 thereby torotatably support the numbering wheels within the frame 46.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, number: ing unit 44b of the illustrated embodiment of the invention is arranged to-apply the numerals 1, 4, 7, 10 91, 94 and9'l; unit 44a is arranged to apply the numerals 2, 5,8, 11 92, 95 and 98; while unit44cis arranged to apply the numerals 3, 6, 9, 12 93, 96 and 99.

. In order for the'numbering wheels of the units 44a, 44b and 44c to successively apply the above mentioned numerical sequences tothe web or strip S, the die strip 56 carried by the numbering wheel 52a of each unit has raised die portions thereon corresponding to the numerals O, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 arranged in that order, while the die strip 56]: carried by the numbering wheel 52b of each unit has raised die portions defining the numerals 1, 4, 7, 0, 3, 6, 9, 2, 5, and 8 in the order stated.

\ As the numbering units 44b, 44a, and 44c successively reach the marking position at the bottom of the marking wheel, during the first revolution of the latter, thelnumbering wheels 52a and 52b of the units are positioned so that the die portions of the strips 56a and 56b defining the numerals 0 and l, 0 and 2, 0 and 3, respectively, are radially outermost and centered within the related cut: outs 34 to receive ink from the transfer roll 38 and then to apply an inked impression of the related numerals to the web or strip S.

During each of the second and third revolutions of marking wheel 24 and body 50, the numbering wheels 52b of the several numbering units will be angularly displaced, while the numbering wheels 52a thereof are immobile on the related shafts 60, so that units 44b, 44a and 440 respectively print the numerals 04, and 06, during the second revolution, and the numerals 07, 08 and 09 during the third revolution. During the fourth revolution of the marking wheel, the numbering wheels 52b of all of the numbering units are again angularly displaced and the wheels 52a are also angularly displaced so that, during the fourth revolution, the units 44b, 44a and 44c respectively print the numerals 10, 11 and 12. From the foregoing, it is apparent that. the numbering wheel 52b of each unit is angularly displaced during each revolution of the marking wheel, while the numbering wheel 52a is angularly displaced only during specific, separated revolutions of the marking wheeL- With three numbering units arranged in the manner described above, the wheel 52a of unit 4419 is indexed only during revolutions 4, 8, ll, 14, 18, 21, 24, 28 and 31 of the marking wheel; wheel 52a of unit 44a is indexed only during revolutions 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24, 27 and 31; and wheel 52a of unit 44c is indexed during revolutions 4, 7, l0, 14, 17, 20, 24, 27 and 30.

The above described sequences of indexing of the wheels 5211 of the several numbering units can be achieved with existing numbering units, a suitable type of the latter being illustrated in the drawings.- Referring to Fig. 4, it

will be seen that wheel 52a has a ratchet gear 62a at one side thereof and integral withor-secured' to the body of the numbering wheel, while the wheel 52b has a ratchet gear 62b at one side and either secured to or integral with the related body. As seen in Fig. 6, ratchet gear 62a has ten equally spaced teeth with notches of the same radial depth between all of the teeth. On the other hand, ratchet gear 62b (Fig. 5), which also has ten equally spaced teeth, is provided with three relatively deep notches 64 which are successively spaced apart by three teeth, three teeth and four teeth.

In the illustrated type of numbering unit, indexing of the ratchet gears 62a and 62b is efiected by swinging of a yoke 66 which is rockably mounted on frame 46, for example, on the shaft 60, and carries a pawl assembly. The pawl assembly includes a cross-member 68 which is slidable in guideways formed in the sides of yoke 66 and is urged radially inward toward the ratchet gears, for example, by springs 70. Two pawls 72a and 72b extend from cross-member 68 for engagement with ratchet gears 62a and 62b, respectively, and pawl 72a is substantially shorter than pawl 72b so that pawl 72a will engage the teeth of ratchet gear 62a only when pawl 72b is received in one of the relatively deep notches 64 of ratchet gear 62b. Thus, as yoke 66 is repeatedly rocked, each oscillation of the yoke will effect angular displacement of ratchet gear 62b and wheel 52b through an increment the teeth of ratchet gear 62a.

The different sequences of indexing of the wheels 52a of the numbering units 44a, 44b and 440 can be accounted for merely by varying the initial rotational positions of the ratchet gears 62b in the several numbering units at the commencement of operation of the apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, a fixed cam member 74 is supported from one of the cross-bolts 16 to a side of the marking wheel 24 and is formed with an arcuate cam surface 76, to cause rocking of the yoke 66 of each numbering unit during rotation of the marking wheel. As seen in Fig. 4, the yoke66 is provided with a lateral extension 78 carrying a roller 80 at its end for rolling engagement with cam surface 76 as the related numbering unit moves past the fixed cam memben 74. The 'camsurface 76 is formed so that, as the roller 80 moves therealong, the yoke 66 is rocked in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, that is, in the ratchet displacing direction. Return of the yoke 66 in the opposite direction is effected by a spring 82 (Fig. 5) which is secured at its opposite ends to the yoke and to an anchor pin on frame 46, and a stop 84 extends from the side of frame 46 into the path of yoke 66 to limit the return movement of the latter.

Preferably, the fixed cam member 74 is angularly adjustable on its supporting cross-bolt 16 so that the angular extent of the movement imparted to the yoke during contact of roller 80 with cam surface 76 may be varied. In the illustrated embodiment, such angular adjustment is provided by forming the end of cam member 74 receiving the supporting cross-bolt 16 with a longitudinally opening slot 86 (Fig. l), and a securing or clamping screw 88 extending across the slot so that, when screw 88 is loosened, the grip of the portions of the cam member at the opposite sides of slot 86 on the cross-bolt is relaxed to permit angular movement of the cam member relative to its supporting cross-bolt.

In order that the sequence of numerals applied to strip or web S by the numbering units 44a, 44b and 440 may be useful in facilitating the measurement of lengths of sheet material to be cut from the strip or web as well as to provide an inventory of the amount of sheet material remaining when the strip or web is stored in a roll, the diameter of the marking wheel is selected so that the distance between the successive numerals applied by the numbering units will be some common measure, for example, 1 foot.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, an arrangement is provided for returning or resetting the numbering wheels of the units 44a, 44b and 44c to the original positions thereof without requiring the step-bystep indexing of the numbering wheels through all of the positions corresponding to marking of a complete and continuous numerical sequence. Thus, if during the marking of the strip or web S, a defect in the latter is discovered in the area of an intermediate numeral of the continuous sequence, for example, adjacent the numeral 23, it is possible to cut-out the defective portion of the strip or web and to conveniently reset the numbering units to their original positions so that the first numeral applied to the strip after removal of the defective portion will be the numeral 01, rather than the numeral 24 as would be the case if the indexing of the units was allowed to continue.

As seen in Figs. 5 and 6, shaft 60 supporting the numbering wheels in each of the units 44a, 44b and 440, is provided with a pin 90 yieldably projected therefrom in the radial direction at the location of each of the numbering wheels, and the opening 58 of each wheel which receives the shaft 60 is formed with an inclined radial enlargement 92 (Figs. 5, 6, and 8) having a radial shoulder 94 at one end. The pins 90 and enlargements 92 cooperate to permit rotation of the numbering wheels relative to shaft 60 in the counter-clockwise direction, for example, during normal indexing of the wheels by the pawl assembly, and cause the numbering wheels to follow the rotation of shaft 60 in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, after the pins 90 have engaged against the radial shoulders 94. Ac-

In order to effect the above de scribe d resetting r05 tation of shaft 60 in each of the numbering units, a gear 7 96 is secured to. one end of. ShilfL6fl2311d meshes with a relatively largege'ar 98which'is'rotatable on a stub shaft 100 (Fig. 4) projecting from the adjacent side of frame 46. Gear 98 is yieldably urged in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, by a torsion spring 102 (Fig. 4) which extends around shaft 100 within a hollow hub portion of gear 98 and has its opposite ends secured to gear 98 and shaft 100, respectively. A suitable stop is provided, for example,,a pin 104 projecting from gear 98 and engageable against an edge of body 50, to limit the rotational movement of gear 98 in the direction in which spring 102 acts so that shaft 60 is normally maintained in arotational position which, with the pins 90 engaged in the enlargements 92 and against the shoulders 94 of the latter, corresponds to the initial positions of the numbering wheels. Thus, as the numbering wheels are indexed, shaft 60 remains in the position determined by stop pin 104 on gear 98 and the enlargements 92 of the centralopenings of the numbering wheels move away from the related pins 90'so that the'latter are depressed into the shaft 60, as shown in Fig. 6. When it is desired to reset the numbering wheels, the shaft 60 is rotated in the clockwise, by counter-clockwise rotation of gear 98, until the pins 90 pass the shoulders 94 of the numbering wheels so that return or clockwise rotation of the gear 98 by spring 102 to the position in which stop 104 contacts the related edge of body will cause counterclockwise rotation of shaft with the pins 90 in engagement with shoulders 94 to entrain the numbering wheels for return to their initial positions.

In accordance with the present invention, rotation of the gear 98 of each of the numbering units in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1 is effected by a cam member 106' which is rotatably mounted on shaft 18 and has a radial cam projection 108 engagcable with an actuating arm 110 projecting radially from each gear 98 into the orbital path of projection 108 when the gear 98 is in its normal position as determined by stop 104. Thus, as member 106 is rotated relative to shaft 18 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1,the cam proje ction 108 successively engages and rocks the arms 110 of the numbering units in the counter-clockwise direction. Preferably, the cam projection 108 and arm 110 are dimensioned so that the arm 110 and gear 98 to which it is secured are turned through approximately degrees by movement of cam projection 108 past the arm110, while the gears 96 and 98 have a 1:5 ratio so that such turning of gear 98 produces a complete revolution of shaft"60,' in the clockwise direction, thereby ensuring that all of the numbering wheels will be entrained by the pins upon the return counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 60 by the action of spring 102 on gear 98.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, the cam member 106 normally rotates with shaft 18 during regular operation of the apparatus with the projection 108 disposed substantially midway between the actuating arms of the successive numbering units so that resetting operation will not occur to interfere with the normal indexing of the wheels of the numbering units. Such rotation of cam member 106 with shaft 18jcan be achieved by providing a friction lining 112 (Fig. 3) on the end face of the cam member for frictional engagement withthe adjacent side surface of body 50. While friction lining 112 normally causes rotation of cam membe! 106 with shaft 18, .it is apparent that slipping may occur between lining 112 and body 50 to permit the rotation of the cam member relative to shaft 18 necessary for resetting the wheels of numbering units 44a, 44b an 44?- Preferably rq gt qgof. an: mem e 06 for esett n the wheelsof the numbering unitsiseffected from a,locai n retrie om the arkin ap aratu eferr to Ris leader. it se s th t srr s t t ts secured .fto, oruformedtintegral with, the cam member 106, and'acontinuous chain 116 extends around sprocket 114 and a drive sprocket 118 which is secured to a shaft 120rotatablycarriedby .a support 122 at a location remote from the marking apparatus.

A handle 124 is provided on shaft 120 for rotating the latter, and a disengageable coupling is preferably provided between shaft 120 and handle 124 so that the lat ter normally hangs immobile from the shaft as the shaft 120 and sprocket 118 are rotated as a result of rotation of sprocket 114 and cam member 106 with shaft 18 during normal operation of the marking apparatus.

' For example, as shown in Fig. 2, shaft 120 isformed with a non-circular, such as, square, portion 126, and the handle 124 is provided with a corresponding noncircular portion 128 in the bore thereof receiving the shaft 120. A spring 130 acts on handle 124 to urge the latter axially off square portion 126 of the shaft 120 so that the latter can then rotate without causing corre spondingrotation of the handle. However, when it is desired to rotate shaft 120 by handle 124 to reset the wheels of the numbering units, the handle is moved axially against spring 130 for engaging portions 126 and 128 whereby the shaft 120 and handle 124 are non-rotatably coupled to each other.

A further feature of the invention resides in the manner in which the die strips 56a and 56b are secured on the numbering wheel bodies 54 in each of the numbering units. Each body 54 is preferably of metal, for example, brass and the like, and at its periphery is provided with a circumferentially spaced apart series of axially extending ribs 132 which are generally keystone-shaped in cross-section (Fig. 8). The die strip extended around the periphery of body 54 has relatively thick portions 134 backing up the raised, numeral defining die portions and fitting between the adjacent ribs l32 (Fig. 8), and relatively thin connecting portions 136 which extend over the ribs 132 so that the latter act as radial supports and prevent circumferential Shifting of the die strip relative to the body 54. It has also beenfound that the op posite ends of the die strip can be formed with relatively thin extensions 138and 140 adhesively secured on the outer surface of one of the ribs 132 and there providing an abutting joint.

From the foregoing description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that a marking apparatus has been provided which is capable of applying repeated spaced apart markings to a continuous web or strip of sheet material and, a sequence of numerals at locations between the repeated markings to afford a com venient means for measuring lengths of the strip or for determining the quantity of material remaining after removal of lengths of material from the strip, and wherein the sequence of numerals applied to the strip can be restarted, at will, from a location which is remote from the marking apparatus.

While an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, and shown in the drawings, merely by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention, as. defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Marking apparatus comprising a frame, a marking wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having circumferentially spaced apart peripheral portions to carry marking dies for ,applyiugrepeated markings to a contiuuous web fed past said marking wheel, a plurality of sequential numbering devices rotating with said marking wheel and each ingluding numbering wheels projecting ad a ly betwe n a d ner het lror ioa o h ma kin v. ,1. t r urous numeri a trans ent. to t e b h tween the repeated markings, indexing means for eifecting step-by-step angular displacement of the numbering wheels and resetting means for returning the numbering wheels to initial predetermined positions thereof, a cam member mounted on said frame and actuating said indexing means of said numbering devices as the latter rotate with said marking wheel so that the numerical impressions applied to the web by said numbering wheels.

form a continuous numerical sequence, the circumferential distances between the numbering devices along the periphery of said marking wheel being equal to standard units of measure so that said numerical sequence forms a scale along the web to facilitate measurement of lengths removed from the web and provides a continuous inven tory of the length of the remainder of the web, a resetting cam member mounted on the axis of rotation of said marking wheel and rotatable relative to the latter to successively actuate said resetting means of said numbering devices thereby to return the numbering wheels to said initial positions corresponding to the start of said continuous numerical sequence, and operating means for effecting rotation of said resetting cam member from a location'remote from said marking wheel.

2. Marking apparatus according to claim 1; further comprising means yieldably inducing said resetting cam member to rotate with said marking wheel so that actuation of said resetting means by said resetting cam member is avoided during marking ofthe web by said numbering wheels.

3. Marking apparatus according to claim 2; wherein said operating means includes a first sprocket rotating with said resetting cam member, a second sprocket rotatably supported at said location remote from the marking wheel, a continuous chain running around said first and second sprockets, a handle for manually rotating said second sprocket, and a disengageable coupling between said handle and second sprocket so that said handle can remain at rest during rotation of said second sprocket in response to rotation of the resetting cam member with the marking wheel.

4. Marking apparatus according to claim 1; wherein said indexing means includes a rockable lever carrying a cam follower and said cam member for actuating the indexing means is elongated and has a curved cam surface along the inside edge thereof for engagement by the cam follower of each indexing means, said cam surface being disposed at different distances from the axis of rotation of said marking wheel along the length of said cam surface so that the lever of each indexing means is rocked during movement of the related follower along said cam surface, said cam member for actuating the indexing means being mounted on said frame at one end and angularly adjustable relative to said frame so that the extent of rocking of said lever of each numbering device can be varied.

5, Marking apparatus comprising a frame, a marking wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having circumferentially spaced apart peripheral portions to carry marking dies for applying repeated markings to a web fed past said marking wheel, a plurality of sequential numbering devices rotating with said marking wheel and each including numbering wheels projecting radially between said peripheral portions of the marking wheel for applying numerical impressions to the web between the repeated markings, indexing means for effecting step-bystep angular displacement of the numbering wheels as said numbering devices rotate with said marking wheel so that the numerical impressions applied to the web by said numbering wheels form a continuous numerical sequence, each of said numbering devices further including a rotatable shaft having said numbering wheels mounted thereon and capable of rotation independent of said shaft and releasable coupling means between said shaft and iii) the related numbering wheels to permit rotation of the latter relative to said shaft in the direction of the normal angular displacement of said wheels by the indexing means and to entrain the numbering wheels for rotation with the related shaft when the latter is rotated in said direction, and resetting means for returning said numbering wheels to initial predetermined positions thereof and including yieldable means'rotationally urging said shaft of each numbering device in said direction to a normal position corresponding to. said predetermined positions of the related numbering wheels, and means operative to turn the shafts of all of said numbering devices through a complete revolution in the opposite direction from said normal positions and then to free said shafts so that the latter are returned by said yieldable means to their normal positions and, in the course of such return movement, entrain the related numbering wheels and reset the latter at said initial predetermined positions.

6. Marking apparatus according to claim 5; wherein each of said shafts has a first gear of relatively small pitch diameter thereon meshing with a second gear of relatively large pitch diameter acted on by said yiedable means; and wherein the last mentioned means includes a resetting cam member normally rotating with said marking wheel and capable of rotation with respect to the latter, a radial projection extending from said second gear associated with each of said numbering devices, said resetting cam member engaging and rocking said radial projection associated with each numbering device when said resetting cam member is rotated with respect to said marking wheel, and means for rotating said resetting cam member relative to said marking wheel.

7. Marking apparatus comprising a frame, a marking wheel rotatably mounted on said frame and having circumferentially spaced apart peripheral portions to carry marking dies for applying repeated markings to a continuous web fed past said marking wheel, a plurality of sequential numbering devices rotating with said marking wheel and each including numbering wheels projecting radially between said peripheral portions of the marking wheel for applying numerical impressions to the web between the repeated markings, indexing means for effecting step-by-step angular displacement of the numbering wheels and resetting means for returning the numbering wheels to initial predetermined positions thereof, means mounted on said frame and actuating said indexing means of said numbering devices as the latter rotate with said marking wheel so that the numerical impressions applied to the web by said numbering wheels form a continuous numerical sequence, the circumferential distances between the numbering devices along the periphery of said marking wheel being equal to standard units of measure so that the said numerical sequence forms a scale along the web to facilitate measurement of lengths removed from the web and provides a continuous inventory of the length of the remainder of the web, a resetting actuating member mounted on the axis of rotation of said marking wheel and rotatable relative to the latter to successively actuate said resetting means of said numbering devices thereby to return the numbering wheels to said initial positions corresponding to the start of said continuous numerical sequence, and operating means for effecting rotation of said resetting actuating member from a location remote from said marking wheel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 92,825 Higgins July 20, 1869 224,537 Hoster Feb. 17, 1880 273,189 Tatham Feb. 27, 1883 355,517 Farmer Jan. 4, 1887 (Gther references on following page) 12 'Shomaker ,May :10, 1938, Dudis Mar. 18 1952 McKay 4. Apr. 14,1953,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Now. 5,1931 Great Britain June 1-7, 1931 

